Waist elastic system with improved elastic decay properties for a training pant

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a child&#39;s disposable absorbent training pant having an improved waist elastic system. The waist elastic system has a selected maximum magnitude of decay over the first three cycles at a specific extension, thereby providing a substantially uniform low tension over a wide size range, a more comfortable fit, and improved ease of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains to disposable absorbent trainingpants for children, and more particularly to improved waist elasticsystems therefor.

[0002] Current disposable absorbent training pants for children goingthrough the potty training stage have proved to be a particularlydesirable and useful product. This is especially true for the child,when he or she has outgrown, or believe they have outgrown, diapers.Diapers are for babies, and most children do not like being identifiedwith or as babies. Consequently, these children do not want to wear babydiapers, and instead prefer to wear a training pant that looks likeadult underwear.

[0003] One problem with current training pants, however, is that they donot provide optimum comfort and ease of use, i.e., ease of pulling up orpulling down, over a wide weight or size range and for an extendedperiod of time. This discomfort, and difficulty in pulling up or pullingdown, very often frustrates the child to the point that potty trainingis delayed due to the child's displeasure with and difficulty in usingthe product.

[0004] One reason current training pants do not provide optimum comfortand ease of use is the fact that one training pant size is intended foruse by children within a particular range of weights or sizes. Thisrequires a single size training pant to fit children with different sizewaists. In practice, this means that the training pant will not providea substantially uniform low tension over the required waist size range.For example, one specific training pant size may be designed to fitchildren within a weight range of 25-35 pounds. This weight rangeincludes a wide range of waist sizes. Generally, the training pant willfit one particular weight, i.e., intermediate waist size, well enough toprovide some degree of satisfaction. However, at the low weight end,i.e., the smallest waist size, an elastic waistband must be used togather the excess material at the waist opening. However, the tensionprovided by the retracted elastic waistband can be too high, therebycausing discomfort and/or difficulty in pulling the pant up or down forthe smaller to intermediate size children.

[0005] At the high end of the weight range, where the waist size islargest, the elastic waistband will extend its maximum allowable lengthto accommodate the larger waist. However, when fully extended, it canexert too high of a tension against the child's waist. Again, thisresults in discomfort, possible redmarking, and difficulty in pullingthe pant up and down, thereby delaying potty training.

[0006] Thus, the fact that a single size training pant is designed tofit wide weight ranges has prevented them from providing substantiallyuniform low tensions over the corresponding wide size ranges over anextended period of time. Yet, this is an extremely desirable featurewhich, if available, would provide a training pant comfortable to thechild, and easy to pull up or down. Thus, as a child would grow into,and then out of, a specified weight range for a specific training pantsize, then the child would have a substantially uniform force or tensionat the waist during that period of wearing the specific size trainingpant; but, this feature is not available in current children'sdisposable absorbent training pants.

[0007] Various designs of elastic waistbands have been used in thesetraining pants, such as a single wide elastic member or a plurality ofnarrow elastic members. The waistbands may fully, or only partially,surround the waist opening. Generally, these elastic waistbands areincorporated by one of two methods. The first method incorporates theelastic waistbands when they are in an extended, tensioned state. Thesecond method incorporates the elastic waistbands while they are in arelaxed, untensioned state. The latter method may require the use of aspecial elastic material, such as a heat-elasticizable material.

[0008] In both of these methods, the elastic waistbands generally arejoined to multiple layers of material. For example, the elasticwaistbands can be adhesively joined between two adjacent layers ofmaterial, such as, for example, the topsheet and backsheet of thetraining pant. In some cases, the elastic waistbands are firstadhesively joined to a carrier sheet of material, and then the carriersheet and elastic waistbands are adhesively joined between the adjacentlayers.

[0009] The application of adhesive in these methods is generallyaccomplished by partially or totally coating the mutually facingsurfaces of the adjacent layers, or by applying the adhesive in a beadto at least one of the layers. The latter method usually involves acontinuous bead pattern, such as a wave-like pattern of adhesive.

[0010] Other methods or patterns for applying adhesive are available,and include joining the elastic waistbands along their full or entirelength to multiple layers of material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In one form of the present invention there is provided adisposable absorbent training pant comprising a chassis including afront panel, a back panel, a crotch panel, and an absorbent structure onthe crotch panel, in which the front and back panels, when joinedtogether, form a waist opening and leg openings. A waist elastic systemis provided about the waist opening, and has a maximum magnitude ofdecay of about 125 grams at an extension of about 300 millimeters overthe first three cycles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The above-mentioned and other features of the present inventionand the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and theinvention itself will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a partially broken-away, front perspective view of achild's training pant incorporating the principles of the presentinvention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the waist of the pant in FIG. 1illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating one method for makingan embodiment similar to that in FIG. 3;

[0017]FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically illustrate one method for making anembodiment similar to that in FIG. 2; and

[0018] FIGS. 7-13 are graphs comparing the first three cycles of atraining pant incorporating the principles of the present inventionagainst the first three cycles of a current training pant product.

DEFINITIONS

[0019] Within the context of this specification, each term or phrasebelow includes the following meaning or meanings. These terms may befurther defined, or used in conjunction with additional language tofurther expand their meaning, in the specification.

[0020] (a) “Associated with” refers to the attachment of an elasticmember, or elastic structure, to another element such that the elasticmember, or elastic structure, when attached to, placed with, or formedfrom the element, gives that element elastic properties. Thus, thejoined elastic member and the other element exhibit elasticity.

[0021] (b) “Cycle” refers to an extension of an elastic member orelastic structure, and a retraction of the elastic member or elasticstructure following the removal of the force causing the extension.

[0022] (c) “Decay” refers to a loss of tension at a specific extensionover a selected number of cycles.

[0023] (d) “Disposable” refers to a garment, article, pant, or the like,that is designed to be used until soiled, either by urination,defecation, or otherwise, and then discarded, rather than being washedand reused again.

[0024] (e) “Disposed”, “disposed on”, “disposed with”, and variationsthereof, refer to one element being integral or unitary with anotherelement, or to one element being a separate structure joined to,connected to, placed with, or placed near another element.

[0025] (f) “Elasticity” refers to the tendency of a material, orcomposite material, to recover its original size and shape after removalof the force causing a deformation. Elasticity may be expressed inpercent.

[0026] (g) “Elongation” refers to the ratio of the extension of amaterial to the length of a material prior to the extension, and isrepresented by the formula:$\frac{{extended}\quad {length}\quad {minus}\quad {original}\quad {length}}{{original}\quad {length}} \times 100.$

[0027]  Elongation may be expressed as a percent.

[0028] (h) “Extension” or variations thereof refers to the change inlength of a material due to stretching, and may be expressed in units oflength.

[0029] (i) “Hysteresis” refers to a loss of tension over a specifiednumber of cycles within a specified extension range.

[0030] (j) “Joining” or variations thereof refers to two or moreelements being connected together in any suitable manner, such as byheat sealing, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonding, adhesive bonding,stitching, or the like. The elements can be joined directly together, ormay have one or more elements interposed between them, all of which areconnected together.

[0031] (k) “Member” when used in the singular can have the dual meaningof a single element, or a plurality of elements.

[0032] (l) “Modulus of elasticity” refers to a constant that numericallymeasures or represents the amount of elasticity a material possesses.

[0033] (m) “Retraction” or variations thereof refers to the decreasingchange in length of an extended material upon removal of the forcecausing the extension.

[0034] (n) “Elongate sleeve member” refers to a structure having anelongate passage therein. The sleeve member can be formed by one layerof material folded upon itself, or two or more layers of material beingselectively joined together, to form the elongate passage.

[0035] (o) “Tension” refers to a force tending to cause the extension ofa body, or to the balancing force within that body resisting theextension. Tension may be expressed in units of grams.

[0036] (p) “Waistborder” refers to a border about the waist opening of atraining pant, and may be constructed of one or more layers of material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention provides an improved waist elastic systemfor children's training pants that results in a substantially uniformlow tension along the peripheral border of the waist opening over a widesize range, a more comfortable fit, and improved ease of use by thechild over an extended period of use. This is accomplished by, amongother things, reducing the number of layers of material, i.e., the massor amount of material, that the waist elastic system must gather. Themore material there is to gather, the more the elasticity will bedegraded or reduced in gathering the excess material. The presentinvention reduces this number of layers or amount of material to begathered by incorporating an elastic member in, for example, one layerof material, thereby reducing loss of elasticity.

[0038] The present invention selectively reduces the joined surfacearea, or the number of points of joinder, between an elastic member andits respective layer to which it is joined. For example, the elasticmember may not be attached along its full length to the layer. Thepresent invention provides a plurality of selectively spaced apart,distinct adhesive zones. By reducing the surface area of joinder betweenthe elastic member and the layer of material, there is a resultantreduction in the elastic member's loss of elasticity.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 1, a disposable absorbent training pant 20comprises a chassis 22 including a front panel 24, a back panel 26, acrotch panel 28, a waist opening 30, and a pair of leg openings 32.Openings 30, 32 are formed by selectively joining portions of frontpanel 24 and back panel 26 at side seams 34, which extend between waistopening 30 and a respective leg opening 32. Each side seam 34 can beformed in any suitable manner, such as by ultrasonic bonding, thermalbonding, adhesive bonding, or the like. A waist border 36 peripherallysurrounds waist opening 30, and is formed upon joining front panel 24and back panel 26 at seams 34.

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, chassis 22 includes an absorbentstructure 38 disposed at least at crotch panel 28. Absorbent structure38 includes an absorbent end edge 40, and has a length dimension 42(FIG. 6) that is greater than a width dimension 44. Chassis 22 furtherincludes an outer cover layer 46 and a liner 48, which sandwichabsorbent structure 38 therebetween. Liner 48 is desirably a singlelayer of liquid permeable material, but may also include other layers ofmaterial. Outer cover layer 46 is desirably a two-layer material thatincludes an outer layer 50, which can be made of a nonwoven liquidpermeable material, and an inner layer 52, which can be made of a liquidimpermeable material. Outer layer 50 and inner layer 52 can be joinedtogether in any suitable manner, such as by adhesives 54. Liner 48 isdesirably joined to outer cover layer 46 by adhesives 56, therebysandwiching absorbent structure 38 therebetween. As described, chassis22 is a multi-layer structure comprising outer cover layer 46 and liner48.

[0041] Waist border 36 (FIG. 2) may also be a multi-layer structurecomprising outer cover layer 46 and liner 48. Waist border 36 desirablyincludes an extension of one of the layers of chassis 22, for example,an extension of outer layer 50 (FIG. 2). This extension forms aperipheral edge portion 58 that peripherally surrounds waist opening 30.

[0042] Although described above with reference to a specific design andmaterials, training pant 20 can have other designs or constructions.Examples of other representative training pants are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,940,464, the contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,381, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein.

[0043] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 and 2, a separate waist elasticsystem 60 is associated with chassis 22 about waist opening 30. Waistelastic system 60 includes an elongate sleeve member 62 defining thereinan elongate passage 64, and an elongate elastic member 66. Elongatesleeve member 62 can be formed from one layer of material, such as anonwoven liquid permeable material, by folding the material into aC-shape configuration comprising an outer surface 68 (FIG. 2) and aninner surface 70, which define elongate passage 64. Outer surface 68 andinner surface 70 can be joined together in any suitable manner, such asby adhesives 72. Adhesives 72 join only outer surface 68 and innersurface 70 together, and do not contact elongate elastic member 66,which is substantially freely movable in elongate passage 64.

[0044] Elongate sleeve member 62 is joined, such as by adhesives 74, toperipheral edge portion 58 (FIG. 2), such that the portion of sleevemember 62 containing elongate elastic member 66 extends outwardly beyondthe end edge 59 of peripheral edge portion 58. Desirably, waist elasticsystem 60 is joined to only one of the layers comprising chassis 22,such as outer layer 50, for purposes that will be explained hereafter.Within elongate passage 64, elongate elastic member 66 has an outermostperipheral edge 76, and an innermost peripheral edge 78 that is spaced aselective distance from absorbent end edge 40. Although elongate elasticmember 66 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as a single ribbon of elasticmaterial, it may comprise a plurality of elastic ribbons or strands. Inthe case in which elongate elastic member 66 is a plurality of strandsor ribbons, outermost peripheral edge 76 will correspond to theoutermost peripheral edge of the outermost strand or ribbon, andinnermost peripheral edge 78 will correspond to the innermost peripheraledge of the innermost strand or ribbon.

[0045] Since waist elastic system 60 is a separate structure fromchassis 22, waist elastic system 60 can be made and constructed of anytypes of desired material independent of the materials of which chassis22 is made. This provides increased flexibility in the design andconstruction of waist elastic system 60.

[0046] In one embodiment, hereinafter also referred to as Embodiment 1,of disposable absorbent training pant 20, outer cover layer 46 comprisesan outer layer 50 made of a liquid permeable spunbond polypropylene webhaving a basis weight of about 20 grams per square meter, and an innerlayer 52 made of a 0.0015 centimeter polyethylene film. Liner 48 can bemade of the same material as outer layer 50 and made hydrophilic bytreating it with a wettable agent, or can be made of a hydrophilicmaterial. Absorbent structure 38 can comprise a uniform mixture of anysuitable superabsorbent material and wood pulp fluff, with the mixtureenclosed in a tissue wrap to maintain the integrity of thesuperabsorbent material and fluff. Sleeve member 62 can be made of anonwoven web of bicomponent fibers in a side-by-side orientation, inwhich the fibers are present in the amount of about 50 percentpolypropylene fibers to about 50 percent polyethylene fibers. Sleevemember 62 desirably has a basis weight of about 17 gsm, and isconstructed in a C-fold configuration to have a width of about 2.38centimeters ({fraction (15/16)} inch) and a relaxed length of about73.66 centimeters (29 inches), i.e., a circumferential length of about73.66 centimeters. Elastic member 66 is made of a natural rubbermaterial, and has a thickness of about 7 mils, a width of about 0.79centimeters ({fraction (5/16)} inch), and a relaxed circumferentiallength of about 28.58 centimeters (11.25 inches). One process ofconstructing a waist elastic system 60 includes providing two lengths ofnatural rubber having respective relaxed lengths of about 14.28centimeters (5⅝ inches) (one-half of the relaxed circumferential length)and two lengths of the above-described nonwoven web having respectiverelaxed lengths of about 36.83 centimeters (14.5 inches). Each naturalrubber length has a width of 0.79 centimeters ({fraction (5/16)} inch),and each nonwoven web length has a width of about 4.83 centimeters (1.9inches) (twice the C-fold configuration width of {fraction (15/16)}inch). Both natural rubber lengths are extended about 36.83 centimeters(14.5 inches) and placed on a respective nonwoven web length having alength of about 36.83 centimeters, with the ends of each natural rubberlength being joined to the ends of its respective nonwoven web length.Each nonwoven web length is C-folded over its respective natural rubberlength. The two resulting composites, comprising a natural rubber lengthand a nonwoven web length, are joined at their ends to form aclosed-loop elastic waistband, such as a waist elastic system 60. Thecomposites can be joined together in a relaxed state or extended state.The closed-loop elastic waistband has, in its relaxed state, acircumferential length of about 73.66 centimeters (29 inches).

[0047] Elongate sleeve member 62 and elongate elastic member 66 also canbe joined to chassis 22 at seams 34 at the same time front panel 24 andback panel 26 are joined to form seams 34. Thus, between seams 34 (FIG.1), elastic member 66 is freely movable within passage 64.

[0048] Waist elastic system 60 provides the features of a substantiallyuniform low tension over a wide size range, a more comfortable fit, andimproved ease of use, over repeated uses of training pant 20. A repeateduse refers, for example, to the child pulling the pant down to go to thebathroom, or pulling the pant up. It has been discovered that this typeof repeated use with current training pants results in a substantialloss of elasticity about waist opening 30. To address this loss ofelasticity over repeated uses, current training pants incorporate thewaist elastic with a relatively high tension for the purpose ofcompensating for this loss of elasticity over repeated use. However,this relatively high tension of the waist elastic results in anuncomfortable fit, redmarking, and/or difficulty in pulling the pant upor down, all of which are undesirable to both the child and the parentor caretaker.

[0049] In analyzing this discovered problem, applicants have found thatone important factor relating to these desired features is the averagemaximum rate of change of modulus of elasticity over the first threecycles, which will be described in greater detail below. FIGS. 7-13compare the first three cycles of use of Embodiment 1 against a currenttraining pant. A cycle represents one extension and one retraction ofthe waist elastic, which occurs generally when the child pulls the pantupwardly or pulls the pant downwardly. In FIG. 7, the first three cyclesof Embodiment 1 are represented by the curves identified as cycle 1,cycle 2, and cycle 3. Cycle 1 comprises an extension E1 and a retractionR1, in which extension E1 begins at point A and ends at point B, andretraction R1 begins at point B and ends at point C. Each point A, B,and C represents a specific tension in grams at a specific extension inmillimeters. Cycle 2 has an extension E2 and a retraction R2, and cycle3 has an extension E3 and a retraction R3.

[0050] In comparison to the three cycles 1, 2, and 3 are the first threecycles 1′, 2′, and 3′, of a current training pant, identified asSample 1. When comparing cycles 1, 2, and 3 to cycles 1′, 2′, and 3′ ofSample 1, the Sample 1 cycles 1′, 2′, and 3′ have a much higher tensionin grams over the extension range of 175 to 325 millimeters than cycles1, 2, and 3. When taken over a range of extension of about 175-325millimeters, Embodiment 1 provides a substantially more uniform, lowertension for the first three cycles than Sample 1.

[0051] FIGS. 8-13 are similar to FIG. 7, in that each of the FIGS. 8-13compares the first three cycles 1, 2, and 3 of Embodiment 1 with thefirst three cycles 1′, 2′, and 3′ of Samples 2-7, respectively. Notethat the scales of the Y-axes, which represent the load or tension ingrams, are different in FIGS. 7-13 in order to more clearly illustratethe comparisons.

[0052] Sample 1 (FIG. 7) was manufactured by The Drypers Corporation, isgenerally identified as Big Boy and Big Girl product, and was obtainedfrom a product package having a bag count of 13 for boys and girlsweighing up to 36 pounds.

[0053] Sample 2 (FIG. 8) was manufactured by Kimberly-Clark Corporation,is identified as HUGGIESO PULL-UPSI brand training pant product, and wasobtained from a product package having a bag count of 16 for boysweighing 29-36 pounds and girls weighing 25-34 pounds.

[0054] Sample 3 (FIG. 9) was manufactured by Paragon Trade Brands, isgenerally identified as Kids Pants product, and was obtained from aproduct package having a bag count of 20 for boys and girls in the 24-33pound weight range.

[0055] Sample 4 (FIG. 10) was manufactured by The Procter & GambleCompany, is generally identified as Pampers® Trainers® product, and wasobtained from a product package having a bag count of 16 for boys andgirls weighing 23-34 pounds.

[0056] Sample 5 (FIG. 11) was manufactured by Pope & Talbot, isgenerally sold through the Vons store chain, and was obtained from aproduct package having a bag count of 16 for boys and girls weighing27-36 pounds.

[0057] Sample 6 (FIG. 12) was manufactured by Molnlycke ConsumerProducts AB, is generally identified as Libero Up & Go product, and wasobtained from a product package having a bag count of 22 for boys andgirls weighing 20-33 pounds (9-15 kilograms).

[0058] Sample 7 (FIG. 13) was manufactured by the Uni-Charm Corporation,is generally identified as Oyasumi Man product, and was obtained from aproduct package having a box count of 8 for boys and girls in the sizerange of 85-105 centimeters.

[0059] All products representing Samples 1-7 were commercially purchasedin late 1994 or early 1995.

[0060] With regard to the description herein, a modulus of elasticity isa constant that numerically measures how much elasticity a materialpossesses, such as waist elastic system 60. A constant, with referenceto FIG. 7, for example, is the slope represented by any two points on acurve of any one of the illustrated cycles. An average maximum rate ofchange of modulus of elasticity is calculated by averaging a selectednumber of slopes taken at specified points of a particular curve. Eachcurve of each cycle, and this includes the portion representing theextension and the portion representing the retraction in the cycle, hada slope calculated at every 25 millimeter increment within the extensionrange of 175 millimeters to 325 millimeters. The lower average slope,whether during an extension, a retraction, or a cycle, of Embodiment 1in comparison to the higher average slope of any of the Samples 1-7,indicates a substantially lower rate of increase in tension over a widesize range than any of the Samples 1-7.

[0061] The average maximum rates of change of modulus of elasticity overthe first three cycles are calculated from the data presented in Tables1-9. TABLE 1 EMBODIMENT 1 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 104.57 120.15 122.37 102.35 115.70 113.03 2.10 1200 155.75 171.32 178.00 149.07 173.55 165.54 1.78 225 198.02 213.60220.27 198.02 220.27 210.04 1.58 250 235.85 251.42 262.55 233.62 264.77249.64 1.42 275 267.00 289.24 300.37 267.00 302.59 285.24 1.53 300302.59 329.29 342.64 300.37 342.64 323.51 1.55 325 340.42 371.57 382.69335.97 380.47 362.22 Retraction 325 340.42 371.57 382.69 335.97 380.47362.22 3.33 1 300 264.77 278.12 284.80 267.00 300.37 279.01 1.87 275220.27 231.40 238.07 220.27 251.42 232.29 1.41 250 186.90 195.80 200.25189.12 213.60 197.13 1.44 225 149.07 160.20 166.87 151.30 178.00 161.091.39 200 115.70 126.82 133.50 120.15 135.72 126.38 2.05 175 68.97 77.8777.87 68.97 82.32 75.20 Extension 175 77.87 91.22 93.45 77.87 93.4586.77 2.14 2 200 131.27 142.40 146.85 131.27 149.07 140.17 1.71 225173.55 182.45 189.12 171.32 198.02 182.89 1.35 250 206.92 218.05 220.27204.70 233.62 216.71 1.50 275 240.30 253.65 262.55 240.30 273.67 254.091.57 300 278.12 291.47 304.82 275.90 315.94 293.25 1.69 325 320.39338.19 347.09 311.49 360.44 335.52 Retraction 325 320.39 338.19 347.09311.49 360.44 335.52 2.71 2 300 255.87 269.22 273.67 253.65 287.02267.89 1.76 275 213.60 220.27 229.17 213.60 242.52 223.83 1.30 250180.22 191.35 195.80 182.45 206.92 191.35 1.32 225 149.07 160.20 162.42149.07 171.32 158.42 1.46 200 113.47 122.37 126.82 115.70 131.27 121.931.90 175 68.97 77.87 77.87 68.97 77.87 74.31 Extension 175 75.65 86.7791.22 75.65 91.22 84.10 2.10 3 200 126.82 137.95 140.17 129.05 149.07135.51 1.76 225 169.10 182.45 184.67 171.32 195.80 180.67 1.37 250202.47 215.82 220.27 204.70 231.40 214.93 1.33 275 233.62 249.20 253.65235.85 269.22 248.31 1.53 300 271.45 289.24 293.69 271.45 307.04 286.581.67 325 309.27 331.52 344.87 307.04 349.32 328.40 Refraction 325 309.27331.52 344.87 307.04 349.32 328.40 2.56 3 300 249.20 264.77 271.45251.42 284.80 264.33 1.67 275 211.37 218.05 229.17 213.60 240.30 222.501.30 250 178.00 189.12 195.80 182.45 204.70 190.01 1.35 225 146.85153.52 162.42 149.07 169.10 156.19 1.41 200 113.47 120.15 124.60 117.92129.05 121.04 1.92 175 66.75 75.65 75.65 68.97 77.87 72.98

[0062] TABLE 2 EMBODIMENT 2 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 133.50 113.47 104.57 122.37 106.80 116.14 2.37 1200 191.35 171.32 162.42 182.45 169.10 175.33 1.96 225 238.07 220.27209.15 233.62 220.27 224.28 1.85 250 282.57 267.00 253.65 280.35 269.22270.56 1.67 275 324.84 307.04 291.47 322.62 315.94 312.38 1.80 300373.79 351.54 333.74 367.12 360.44 357.33 1.96 325 418.29 402.72 378.24420.52 411.62 406.28 Retraction 325 418.29 402.72 378.24 420.52 411.62406.28 4.45 1 300 302.59 291.47 282.57 307.04 291.47 295.03 2.08 275249.20 240.30 233.62 253.65 238.07 242.97 1.55 250 211.37 202.47 193.57215.82 198.02 204.25 1.55 225 171.32 166.87 155.75 173.55 160.20 165.541.64 200 131.27 126.82 115.70 131.27 117.92 124.60 2.10 175 77.87 73.4264.52 77.87 66.75 72.09 Extension 175 100.12 86.77 77.87 91.22 80.1087.22 2.26 2 200 149.07 144.62 135.72 149.07 140.17 143.73 1.83 225198.02 186.90 180.22 198.02 184.67 189.57 1.58 250 238.07 224.72 220.27240.30 222.50 229.17 1.60 275 278.12 264.77 255.87 280.35 267.00 269.221.92 300 327.07 315.94 298.14 329.29 315.94 317.28 1.94 325 378.24362.67 344.87 380.47 362.67 365.78 Retraction 325 378.24 362.67 344.87380.47 362.67 365.78 3.31 2 300 291.47 280.35 271.45 291.47 280.35283.02 1.96 275 240.30 231.40 222.50 244.75 231.40 234.07 1.44 250202.47 198.02 189.12 206.92 193.57 198.02 1.51 225 166.87 162.42 149.07169.10 153.52 160.20 1.57 200 129.05 122.37 113.47 126.82 113.47 121.042.06 175 75.65 71.20 62.30 73.42 64.52 69.42 Extension 175 93.45 84.5575.65 86.77 75.65 83.21 2.31 3 200 149.07 140.17 133.50 149.07 133.50141.06 1.82 225 193.57 182.45 175.77 198.02 182.45 186.45 1.51 250233.62 220.27 213.60 233.62 220.27 224.28 1.53 275 271.45 260.32 246.97275.90 258.10 262.55 1.85 300 318.17 307.04 291.47 320.39 307.04 308.821.96 325 364.89 360.44 335.97 369.34 358.22 357.77 Refraction 325 364.89360.44 335.97 369.34 358.22 357.77 3.10 3 300 287.02 278.12 269.22291.47 275.90 280.35 1.87 275 240.30 233.62 220.27 244.75 229.17 233.621.46 250 202.47 195.80 189.12 206.92 191.35 197.13 1.53 225 166.87160.20 149.07 169.10 149.07 158.86 1.58 200 126.82 122.37 109.02 124.60113.47 119.26 2.10 175 75.65 66.75 60.07 71.20 60.07 66.75

[0063] TABLE 3 SAMPLE 1 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 191.35 209.15 193.57 198.02 191.35 196.69 2.95 1200 262.55 282.57 269.22 273.67 264.77 270.56 2.67 225 327.07 349.32338.19 342.64 329.29 337.30 2.92 250 396.04 424.97 411.62 418.29 400.49410.28 4.08 275 489.49 538.44 511.74 527.32 493.94 512.19 8.67 300678.81 629.91 696.41 760.94 678.61 728.90 44.65 325 1677.62 2159.331635.35 2147.09 1606.42 1845.16 Retraction 325 1677.62 2159.33 1635.352147.09 1606.42 1845.16 55.37 1 300 449.44 471.69 462.79 465.02 458.12461.01 4.13 275 351.54 362.67 358.22 362.87 353.77 355.77 2.49 250289.24 298.14 295.92 298.14 295.92 295.47 2.21 225 233.62 244.75 240.30242.52 240.30 240.30 2.37 200 175.77 184.67 180.22 182.45 182.45 181.112.74 175 106.80 117.92 111.25 113.47 113.47 112.58 Extension 175 146.85155.75 146.85 149.07 151.30 149.96 3.03 2 200 222.50 231.40 224.72224.72 224.72 225.61 2.60 225 284.80 295.92 291.47 295.92 284.80 290.582.74 250 351.54 367.12 358.22 364.89 353.77 359.11 3.38 275 431.64453.89 444.99 453.89 433.87 443.66 6.87 300 589.61 638.56 616.31 634.11598.51 615.42 47.83 325 1688.75 1824.47 1415.08 2296.16 1831.14 1811.12Retraction 325 1688.75 1824.47 1415.08 2296.16 1831.14 1811.12 54.45 2300 440.54 456.12 451.67 453.89 447.22 449.89 3.93 275 347.09 353.77351.54 353.77 351.54 351.54 2.47 250 282.57 291.47 291.47 291.47 291.47289.69 2.14 225 231.40 238.07 235.85 238.07 238.07 236.29 2.33 250173.55 180.22 175.77 178.00 182.45 178.00 2.76 175 104.57 115.70 106.80106.80 111.25 109.02 Extension 175 137.95 149.07 140.17 140.17 140.17141.51 3.06 3 200 211.37 224.72 220.27 220.27 213.60 218.05 2.69 225282.57 287.02 282.57 291.47 282.57 285.24 2.69 250 349.32 253.77 253.77353.77 351.54 352.43 3.44 275 431.64 449.44 436.09 442.77 431.64 438.326.34 300 574.04 614.09 596.29 614.09 585.16 596.73 42.59 325 1639.801688.75 1363.90 2239.42 1388.38 1664.05 Retraction 325 1639.80 1688.751363.90 2239.42 1388.38 1664.05 48.76 3 300 436.09 449.44 447.22 449.44442.77 444.99 3.84 275 344.87 349.32 349.32 351.54 349.32 348.87 2.58250 282.57 284.80 284.80 282.57 287.02 284.35 2.05 225 226.95 235.85233.62 233.62 235.85 233.18 2.30 200 169.10 178.00 175.77 175.77 180.22175.77 2.79 175 102.35 111.25 102.35 104.57 109.02 105.91

[0064] TABLE 4 SAMPLE 2 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 −4.45 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.67 3.03 1 20071.18 73.41 82.31 68.96 68.96 72.96 4.66 225 182.41 189.08 200.20 180.18195.75 189.53 3.47 250 264.71 278.06 286.96 262.49 289.18 276.28 2.67275 322.55 349.24 351.47 327.00 364.81 343.01 2.51 300 375.94 415.98413.75 384.83 438.22 405.75 2.51 325 436.00 476.04 480.49 444.90 504.96468.48 Retraction 325 436.00 476.04 480.49 444.90 504.96 468.48 8.01 1300 242.47 275.84 275.84 255.82 291.41 268.27 3.51 275 160.18 186.86184.63 173.51 197.98 180.63 2.54 250 102.33 122.35 120.12 113.45 126.80117.01 2.54 225 44.49 55.61 57.84 53.39 55.61 53.39 2.24 200 −8.90 −2.220.00 0.00 −2.22 −2.67 0.04 175 −11.12 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 0.00 −3.56Extension 175 −11.12 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −4.00 0.75 2 200 11.1215.57 17.80 15.57 13.35 14.68 3.97 225 97.88 117.90 122.35 106.78 124.57113.89 2.88 250 164.61 193.53 189.08 180.18 202.43 185.97 2.62 275226.90 258.04 255.82 242.47 273.61 251.37 3.31 300 304.75 342.57 340.35320.33 262.59 334.12 4.43 325 422.65 444.90 447.12 436.00 473.81 444.90Retraction 325 422.65 444.90 447.12 436.00 473.81 444.90 7.44 2 300233.57 266.94 264.71 249.14 280.28 258.93 3.36 275 155.71 180.18 177.96169.06 191.31 174.84 2.60 250 95.65 113.45 113.45 108.78 120.12 109.892.51 225 37.82 48.94 51.16 46.71 51.16 47.16 2.05 200 −11.12 −2.22 −2.22−2.22 −2.22 −4.00 −0.02 175 −11.12 −2.22 0.00 −2.22 −2.22 −3.56Extension 175 −11.12 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −4.00 0.53 3 200 2.22 8.9017.80 11.12 6.67 9.34 3.75 225 88.98 109.00 111.22 97.88 109.00 103.222.99 250 160.16 182.41 182.41 171.28 193.53 177.96 2.47 275 215.77246.92 244.69 229.12 262.49 239.80 3.22 300 291.41 327.00 327.00 306.98349.24 320.33 4.66 325 411.53 431.55 436.00 424.88 480.49 436.89Retraction 325 411.53 431.55 436.00 424.88 480.49 436.89 7.28 3 300229.12 262.49 260.26 244.69 278.06 254.93 3.31 275 151.26 177.96 175.73166.84 189.08 172.17 2.60 250 91.20 111.22 111.22 104.55 117.90 107.222.54 225 35.59 44.49 46.71 44.49 46.71 43.60 1.89 200 −11.12 −2.22 −2.22−2.22 0.00 −3.58 −0.02 175 −11.12 0.00 −2.22 −2.22 0.00 −3.11

[0065] TABLE 5 SAMPLE 3 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 422.65 447.12 453.79 380.39 358.14 412.42 7.76 1200 627.30 654.00 665.12 553.90 531.65 606.39 7.55 225 838.63 851.98856.42 718.51 709.61 795.03 9.13 250 1094.44 1098.89 1096.67 909.81916.49 1023.26 11.66 275 1412.54 1421.44 1410.32 1161.18 1167.85 1314.6715.70 300 1825.19 1851.88 1822.96 1523.77 1512.85 1707.29 19.81 3252335.70 2365.73 2327.92 1995.36 1987.57 2202.46 Retraction 325 2335.702365.73 2327.92 1995.36 1987.57 2202.46 50.73 1 300 947.63 994.34 989.89860.87 878.87 934.28 13.79 275 587.26 636.20 625.08 540.55 558.34 589.497.67 250 395.96 431.55 424.88 362.59 373.71 397.74 5.50 225 258.04286.96 282.51 233.57 240.24 260.26 4.83 200 144.59 164.61 164.61 124.57124.57 144.59 4.00 175 48.94 60.06 57.84 28.92 26.69 44.49 Extension 175164.61 173.51 180.18 126.80 126.80 154.38 6.10 2 200 315.88 333.67331.45 273.61 280.28 306.98 5.82 225 462.69 496.06 480.49 404.86 418.20452.46 6.92 250 631.75 676.24 669.57 571.69 578.36 625.52 9.72 275874.22 932.06 925.38 791.91 818.81 868.44 16.19 300 1296.87 1363.611354.71 1161.18 1190.10 1273.29 28.15 325 2044.30 2106.58 2064.321772.91 1897.48 1977.12 Retraction 325 2044.30 2106.58 2064.32 1772.911897.48 1977.12 43.48 2 300 896.47 949.85 940.95 820.83 843.08 890.2412.94 275 562.79 611.73 602.83 518.30 538.32 566.80 7.46 250 378.16413.75 411.53 342.57 355.92 380.39 5.30 225 246.92 273.61 271.39 220.22226.90 247.81 4.64 200 133.47 149.04 155.71 109.00 111.22 131.69 3.95175 35.59 46.71 44.49 17.80 20.02 32.92 Extension 175 140.14 155.71160.16 106.78 109.00 134.36 6.26 3 200 291.41 313.65 322.55 264.71282.49 290.96 5.84 225 431.55 471.59 462.69 395.96 398.18 431.99 6.64250 605.06 642.87 633.98 542.77 565.02 597.94 9.08 300 840.85 880.89872.00 751.87 778.57 824.84 15.13 275 1241.26 1283.52 1267.95 1094.441127.81 1203.00 28.09 325 1936.41 2002.03 1951.98 1814.06 1821.851905.27 Retraction 325 1936.41 2002.03 1951.98 1814.06 1821.85 1905.2741.51 3 300 865.32 927.61 914.26 803.04 827.51 867.55 12.47 275 551.67598.38 587.26 511.63 529.43 555.67 7.39 250 367.04 404.86 395.95 338.12349.24 371.04 5.27 225 238.02 264.71 260.26 215.77 218.00 239.35 4.59200 124.57 144.59 142.37 104.55 106.78 124.57 3.83 175 31.14 44.49 40.0415.57 13.35 28.92

[0066] TABLE 6 SAMPLE 4 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 −2.22 −2.22 −4.45 2.22 −2.22 −1.78 5.58 1 200128.91 153.36 128.91 148.91 128.91 137.80 8.05 225 322.27 342.27 340.05353.39 337.83 339.16 6.17 250 473.40 484.52 502.30 513.41 493.41 493.415.32 275 602.31 602.31 644.54 657.38 624.54 626.32 5.39 300 742.33731.22 782.34 793.45 755.67 761.00 4.57 325 860.18 840.13 886.80 915.69873.46 875.24 Retraction 325 860.18 840.13 886.80 915.69 873.46 875.2412.18 1 300 557.86 560.08 575.64 586.75 573.42 570.75 6.49 275 400.06404.50 411.17 420.06 406.73 408.51 5.57 250 262.26 271.15 268.93 277.82266.71 269.37 5.49 225 128.91 140.02 128.91 135.58 126.69 132.02 4.98200 4.45 13.34 2.22 13.34 4.45 7.56 0.48 175 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45−4.45 −4.45 Extension 175 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 2.08 2 20042.23 62.23 37.78 51.12 44.45 47.56 7.11 225 215.59 233.37 220.03 228.92228.92 225.37 5.97 250 371.17 373.39 368.94 386.72 373.39 374.72 5.42275 500.07 506.74 513.41 522.30 508.96 510.30 5.87 300 544.54 642.32662.32 677.88 657.88 656.99 6.65 325 806.79 793.45 826.79 849.02 840.13823.23 Retraction 325 806.79 793.45 826.79 849.02 840.13 823.23 10.92 2300 537.86 551.19 553.42 562.31 546.75 550.30 6.37 275 384.50 388.95393.39 397.84 391.17 391.17 5.44 250 248.93 257.82 255.59 262.26 251.15255.15 5.41 225 117.80 126.69 117.80 124.46 113.35 120.02 4.69 200 0.006.67 0.00 8.89 −2.22 2.67 0.20 175 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22Extension 175 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 −4.45 1.51 3 200 33.34 46.6724.45 40.01 22.23 33.34 7.25 225 204.47 228.92 204.47 224.48 211.14214.70 5.80 250 346.72 364.50 360.05 368.94 357.83 359.61 5.21 275482.29 486.74 493.41 500.07 486.74 489.85 5.71 300 624.54 622.31 635.85648.99 631.21 632.54 6.70 325 784.56 800.12 802.34 822.34 791.23 800.12Retraction 325 784.56 800.12 802.34 822.34 791.23 800.12 10.49 3 300531.19 528.97 542.30 551.19 535.86 537.86 6.15 275 377.83 382.28 384.50393.39 382.28 384.06 5.41 250 244.48 248.93 248.93 257.82 244.48 248.935.35 125 113.35 122.24 111.13 120.02 108.91 115.13 4.59 200 0.00 2.22−4.45 6.67 −2.22 0.44 0.12 175 −4.45 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.22 −2.67

[0067] TABLE 7 SAMPLE 5 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 229.17 253.65 238.07 242.52 229.17 238.52 2.63 1200 298.14 318.17 307.04 304.82 293.69 304.37 2.55 225 362.67 380.47376.02 367.12 353.77 368.01 3.10 250 438.32 458.34 456.12 440.54 433.87445.44 4.33 275 542.89 565.14 571.82 545.12 542.89 553.57 8.37 300734.24 772.06 814.34 736.46 756.49 762.72 36.07 325 1588.62 1706.551775.52 1461.80 1789.98 1664.49 Retraction 325 1588.62 1706.55 1775.521461.80 1789.98 1664.49 48.25 1 300 482.79 469.47 451.67 449.44 458.34458.34 4.86 275 340.42 347.09 331.52 331.52 333.74 336.86 2.35 250282.57 284.80 273.67 273.67 275.90 278.12 1.57 225 242.52 246.97 233.62235.85 235.85 238.96 1.57 200 202.47 209.15 193.57 198.02 195.80 199.801.99 Extension 175 151.30 164.85 140.17 149.07 144.62 149.96 2 175186.90 198.02 178.00 182.45 180.22 185.12 2.63 200 253.65 252.55 244.75249.20 244.75 250.98 2.58 225 315.94 324.84 309.27 315.94 311.49 315.502.88 250 387.14 393.82 387.14 387.14 382.69 387.59 3.77 275 473.92496.17 482.82 478.37 478.37 481.93 7.01 300 636.34 671.94 685.26 649.69663.04 657.25 33.09 325 1441.78 1530.77 1528.55 1314.95 1606.42 1484.49Retraction 325 1441.78 1530.77 1528.55 1314.95 1606.42 1484.49 41.72 2300 444.99 451.67 438.32 433.87 438.32 441.43 4.54 275 331.52 338.19324.84 322.62 322.62 327.96 2.22 250 275.90 280.35 269.22 269.22 257.00272.34 1.58 225 233.62 242.52 229.17 231.40 226.95 232.73 1.60 200195.80 202.47 186.90 191.35 186.90 192.68 1.98 175 140.17 157.97 137.95140.17 140.17 143.19 Extension 175 175.77 191.35 169.10 182.45 171.32178.00 2.67 3 200 244.75 255.87 238.07 246.97 235.07 244.75 2.47 225307.04 315.94 304.82 307.04 298.14 306.60 2.87 250 380.47 391.59 373.79376.02 369.34 378.24 3.68 275 471.69 480.59 467.24 465.02 467.24 470.366.64 300 634.11 649.69 634.11 622.99 640.79 636.34 36.85 325 1753.271464.02 1419.53 1590.85 1535.22 1552.58 Retraction 325 1753.27 1464.021419.53 1590.85 1535.22 1552.58 44.62 3 300 442.77 449.44 433.87 424.97433.87 436.98 4.45 275 333.74 335.97 320.39 318.17 320.39 325.73 2.24250 275.90 278.12 264.77 264.77 264.77 269.67 1.53 225 235.85 240.30224.72 229.17 226.95 231.40 1.60 200 193.57 202.47 184.67 189.12 186.90191.35 2.05 175 137.95 155.75 131.27 137.95 137.95 140.17

[0068] TABLE 8 SAMPLE 6 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 220.22 202.43 231.35 218.00 213.55 217.11 4.18 1200 327.00 304.75 338.12 322.55 315.88 321.66 3.67 225 422.65 395.96429.32 415.98 402.63 413.31 3.74 250 520.53 487.16 527.20 507.18 491.61506.74 4.36 275 636.20 591.71 638.43 618.41 593.94 615.74 6.48 300809.71 747.43 803.04 780.79 747.43 777.68 16.75 325 1290.20 1145.611221.24 1212.34 1112.24 1196.33 Retraction 325 1290.20 1145.61 1221.241212.34 1112.24 1196.33 23.08 1 300 633.98 602.83 636.20 620.63 602.83619.30 5.00 275 502.73 480.49 509.41 496.06 482.71 494.28 3.59 250411.53 391.51 418.20 407.08 393.73 404.41 3.24 225 327.00 311.43 338.12324.77 315.88 323.44 3.47 200 238.02 224.67 251.37 235.79 233.57 236.684.02 175 133.47 124.57 149.04 133.47 140.14 136.14 Extension 175 173.51160.16 182.41 169.06 171.28 171.28 4.25 2 200 282.51 264.71 289.18278.06 273.61 277.62 3.61 225 371.49 353.69 387.06 369.26 358.14 367.933.65 250 462.69 440.45 476.04 464.92 451.57 459.13 4.18 275 573.92547.22 580.59 567.24 549.45 563.68 6.05 300 734.08 694.04 731.85 720.73694.04 714.95 18.88 325 1339.14 1045.51 1285.75 1103.34 1161.18 1186.98Retraction 325 1339.14 1045.51 1285.75 1103.34 1161.18 1186.98 23.19 2300 618.41 591.71 622.85 611.73 591.71 607.28 4.84 275 496.06 471.59500.51 487.16 476.04 486.27 3.49 250 404.86 387.06 413.75 400.41 389.26399.07 3.24 225 320.33 306.98 331.45 320.33 311.43 318.10 3.47 200231.35 220.22 244.69 231.35 229.12 231.35 4.02 175 129.02 120.12 142.37129.02 133.47 130.80 Extension 175 164.61 153.49 177.96 162.39 166.84165.06 4.31 3 200 271.39 258.04 289.16 278.06 266.94 272.72 3.58 225364.81 344.79 380.39 367.04 353.69 362.15 3.68 250 460.47 440.45 469.37456.02 444.90 454.24 3.97 275 565.02 538.32 567.24 556.12 540.55 553.455.84 300 716.28 678.47 718.51 702.94 680.69 699.38 17.19 325 1118.911012.14 1263.50 1243.48 1007.69 1129.15 Retraction 325 1118.91 1012.141263.50 1243.48 1007.69 1129.15 21.05 3 300 613.96 585.04 618.41 605.06591.71 602.83 4.84 275 487.16 469.37 496.06 484.94 471.59 481.82 3.45250 400.41 382.61 409.30 398.18 387.06 395.51 3.19 225 320.33 302.53329.22 315.88 311.43 315.88 3.49 200 229.12 218.00 240.24 229.12 226.90228.68 4.00 175 126.80 115.67 140.14 126.80 133.47 128.57

[0069] TABLE 9 SAMPLE 7 TENSION (grams) Extension/ Specimen SpecimenSpecimen Specimen Specimen Average Slope Refraction (mm) 1 2 3 4 5 (g)(g/mm) Extension 175 129.17 133.63 120.27 104.68 89.09 115.37 3.55 1 200213.80 227.17 211.58 189.31 178.17 204.01 2.90 225 291.75 300.56 291.75256.12 242.76 276.61 2.87 250 367.48 371.93 371.93 322.93 307.34 348.323.47 275 463.24 458.79 467.70 398.66 387.52 435.18 7.93 300 708.23652.55 677.05 572.37 558.78 633.40 17.46 325 1080.16 1097.98 1126.931035.62 1008.89 1069.91 Retraction 325 1080.16 1097.98 1126.93 1035.621008.89 1069.91 25.60 1 300 474.38 454.34 454.34 385.29 380.84 429.844.13 275 342.98 354.11 349.66 296.21 289.53 326.50 2.58 250 273.94287.30 280.62 238.30 229.39 261.91 2.48 225 209.35 222.71 216.03 180.40171.49 200.00 2.80 200 135.86 151.45 140.31 118.04 104.68 130.06 3.40175 51.22 64.59 46.77 40.09 22.27 44.99 Extension 175 86.86 95.77 73.5069.04 46.77 74.39 3.85 2 200 182.52 191.53 178.17 158.13 142.54 170.602.89 225 258.35 265.03 256.12 222.71 211.58 242.76 2.87 250 329.52342.98 331.84 291.75 276.16 314.47 3.24 275 412.02 423.16 420.93 365.25356.34 395.54 7.50 300 657.00 603.55 612.46 525.60 516.69 583.06 18.26325 1028.94 1055.66 1075.71 1066.80 971.03 1039.63 Retraction 3251028.94 1055.66 1075.71 1066.80 971.03 1039.63 24.85 2 300 458.79 443.20440.97 376.39 371.93 418.26 3.88 275 338.52 347.43 342.98 291.75 285.07321.15 2.55 250 271.71 282.85 276.16 231.62 224.94 257.46 2.39 225209.35 218.26 213.80 178.17 169.26 197.77 2.90 200 133.63 146.99 133.63111.36 100.22 125.16 3.40 175 49.00 57.91 42.32 33.41 17.82 40.09Extension 175 77.95 91.31 66.81 62.36 40.09 67.70 3.90 3 200 173.72184.85 171.49 153.67 142.54 165.25 3.08 225 253.89 265.03 256.12 222.71213.80 242.31 2.69 250 325.16 334.07 329.62 285.07 273.94 309.57 3.10275 409.79 416.47 409.79 354.11 345.21 387.08 6.95 300 632.51 581.28587.96 506.58 496.65 560.79 19.15 325 1013.35 1111.34 1131.38 979.94962.12 1039.63 Retraction 325 1013.35 1111.34 1131.38 979.94 962.121039.63 25.09 3 300 449.88 438.75 436.52 371.93 365.25 412.47 3.74 275336.30 345.21 342.98 287.30 282.85 318.93 2.55 250 269.48 278.39 273.94231.62 222.71 255.23 2.41 225 207.12 216.03 209.35 175.94 167.03 195.102.87 200 131.40 144.76 133.63 111.36 95.77 123.38 3.40 175 46.77 57.9140.09 33.41 13.36 38.31

[0070] TABLE 10 EMBODI- EMBODI- Extension MENT 1 MENT 2 SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE2 SAMPLE 3 Retraction AVG. SLOPE AVG. SLOPE AVG. SLOPE AVG. SLOPE AVG.SLOPE Extension 1 175 113.03 2.10 116.14 2.37 196.69 2.95 −207 3.03412.42 7.76 200 165.54 1.78 175.33 1.96 270.56 2.67 72.96 4.66 606.397.55 225 210.04 1.56 224.28 1.85 337.50 2.92 189.53 3.47 795.03 9.13 250249.64 1.42 270.56 1.67 410.28 4.08 276.26 2.67 1023.26 11.66 275 265.241.53 312.35 1.80 512.19 5.67 343.01 2.51 1314.67 15.70 300 323.51 1.55357.33 1.96 728.90 44.65 405.75 2.51 1707.29 19.61 325 362.22 406.261845.16 465.48 2202.48 Retraction 1 325 362.22 3.33 406.28 4.45 1645.1655.37 465.48 8.01 2202.48 50.73 300 279.01 1.87 295.03 2.08 461.01 4.13268.27 3.51 934.26 13.79 275 232.29 1.41 242.97 1.55 357.77 2.49 180.632.54 589.49 7.67 250 197.13 1.44 204.25 1.55 295.47 2.21 117.01 2.54397.74 5.50 225 161.09 1.39 165.54 1.64 240.30 2.37 53.39 2.24 260.264.63 200 126.38 2.05 124.60 2.10 181.11 2.74 −267 0.04 144.59 4.00 17575.20 72.09 112.56 −3.56 44.49 Extension 2 175 86.77 2.14 87.22 2.25149.96 3.03 −4.00 0.75 154.38 6.10 200 140.17 1.71 143.73 1.63 225.012.50 14.68 3.97 306.98 5.82 225 182.89 1.35 189.57 1.58 290.58 2.74113.89 2.88 452.46 6.92 250 216.71 1.50 229.17 1.60 359.11 3.38 185.972.62 625.52 9.72 275 254.09 1.57 268.22 1.92 443.66 6.87 251.37 3.31868.44 16.19 300 293.25 1.69 317.28 1.94 615.42 47.83 334.12 4.431273.29 28.15 325 335.52 365.78 1811.12 444.90 1977.12 Retraction 2 325335.52 2.71 365.78 3.31 1811.12 54.45 444.90 7.44 1977.12 43.48 300267.89 1.76 283.02 1.96 449.89 3.93 258.93 3.36 890.24 12.94 275 223.831.30 234.07 1.44 351.54 2.47 174.84 2.60 566.80 7.46 250 191.35 1.32198.02 1.51 289.69 2.14 109.82 2.51 360.39 5.30 225 156.42 1.46 160.201.57 236.29 2.33 47.16 2.05 247.81 4.64 200 121.93 1.90 121.40 2.06178.00 2.76 −4.00 −0.02 131.69 3.95 175 74.31 69.42 109.02 −3.56 32.92Extension 3 175 884.10 2.10 83.21 2.31 141.51 3.06 −4.00 0.53 134.366.26 200 136.61 1.76 141.06 1.82 218.05 2.69 9.34 3.75 290.96 5.64 225180.67 1.37 188.45 1.51 285.24 2.69 103.22 2.99 431.99 6.64 250 214.931.53 224.26 1.53 352.43 3.44 177.96 2.47 597.94 9.08 275 248.31 1.53262.55 1.85 438.32 8.34 239.80 3.22 624.84 15.13 300 255.58 1.67 308.821.96 596.73 42.69 320.33 4.66 1203.00 28.09 325 528.40 357.77 1664.05436.89 1905.27 Retraction 3 325 328.40 2.56 357.77 3.10 1664.05 48.76436.89 7.28 1905.27 41.51 300 264.35 1.67 280.35 1.87 444.99 3.64 254.933.31 867.55 12.47 275 222.50 1.30 233.62 1.46 346.67 2.58 172.17 2.60555.67 7.39 250 190.01 1.35 197.13 1.53 284.35 2.05 107.22 2.54 371.045.27 225 159.19 1.41 158.86 1.58 233.16 2.30 43.60 1.89 239.35 4.59 200121.04 1.92 119.26 2.10 175.77 2.79 −3.56 −0.02 124.57 3.83 175 72.9866.75 105.91 −3.11 28.92 Extension SAMPLE 4 SAMPLE 5 SAMPLE 6 SAMPLE 7Retraction AVG. SLOPE AVG. SLOPE AVG. SLOPE AVG. SLOPE Extension 1 175−1.70 5.58 238.52 2.63 217.11 4.18 115.37 3.55 200 137.80 8.05 304.372.55 321.68 3.67 204.01 2.90 225 339.16 6.17 365.01 3.10 413.51 3.74276.61 2.87 250 493.41 5.32 445.44 4.33 506.74 4.56 346.32 3.47 275626.32 5.39 553.57 8.37 615.74 6.48 435.18 7.93 300 761.00 4.57 762.7236.07 777.68 16.75 633.40 17.48 325 675.24 1664.49 1195.33 1.69.91Retraction 1 325 675.24 12.16 1664.49 48.25 1196.33 23.08 1069.91 25.60300 570.75 6.48 458.34 4.96 819.30 5.00 429.84 4.13 275 408.51 5.57336.86 2.35 494.28 3.59 326.50 2.58 250 269.37 5.49 278.12 1.57 404.413.24 261.91 2.48 225 132.02 4.98 239.96 1.57 323.44 3.47 200.00 2.60 2007.56 0.48 199.80 1.99 236.68 4.02 130.08 3.40 175 −4.45 149.95 136.1444.99 Extension 2 175 −4.45 2.05 185.12 2.63 171.26 4.25 74.39 3.85 20047.56 7.11 250.98 2.58 277.62 3.61 170.60 2.89 225 225.37 5.97 315.5502.88 387.93 5.65 242.76 2.67 250 374.72 5.42 387.59 3.77 459.13 4.18314.47 5.24 275 510.30 5.87 481.93 7.01 563.68 6.05 395.54 7.50 300658.99 6.65 657.25 33.09 714.95 18.88 583.06 18.26 325 823.23 1484.491186.98 1039.63 Retraction 2 325 823.23 10.92 1484.49 41.72 1186.9823.19 1039.63 24.65 300 550.30 6.37 441.43 4.54 607.26 4.84 416.26 3.88275 591.17 5.44 327.96 2.22 485.27 3.49 321.15 2.55 250 255.15 5.41272.34 1.58 399.007 3.24 257.48 2.39 225 120.02 4.69 232.73 1.60 316.103.47 197.77 2.90 200 2.67 0.20 192.68 1.98 231.35 4.02 125.16 3.40 175−2.22 143.29 130.80 40.09 Extension 3 175 −4.45 1.51 178.00 2.67 165.064.31 67.70 3.90 200 33.34 7.25 244.75 2.47 272.72 3.58 165.25 3.08 225214.70 5.80 306.60 2.87 362.15 3.68 242.31 2.69 250 359.61 5.21 378.243.68 454.24 3.97 309.57 3.10 275 489.85 5.71 470.36 6.64 553.45 5.84387.08 6.95 300 632.54 6.70 836.54 36.65 699.38 17.19 560.79 19.15 325800.12 1552.58 1129.15 1039.63 Retraction 3 325 800.12 10.49 1552.5844.62 1129.15 21.05 1039.63 25.09 300 537.86 6.15 435.98 4.45 602.834.84 412.47 3.74 275 384.06 5.41 525.73 2.24 481.82 3.45 318.93 2.55 250248.93 5.35 269.67 1.53 395.51 3.19 255.23 2.41 225 115.13 4.59 231.401.60 315.68 3.49 195.10 2.87 200 0.44 0.12 191.35 2.05 228.68 4.00123.38 3.40 175 −2.67 140.17 128.57 38.31

[0071] TABLE 11 EXTENSION/ EMBODIMENT 1 EMBODIMENT 2 SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE 2SAMPLE 3 RETRACTION EXT. AVE. EXT. AVE. EXT. AVE. EXT. AVE. EXT. AVE.CYCLE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPEExtension 1 175-325 1.66 175-325 1.93 175-325 10.99 175-325 3.24 175-32511.93 200-325 1.57 200-325 1.05 200-325 12.60 200-325 3.16 200-325 12.77225-325 1.52 225-325 1.02 225-325 15.08 225-325 2.79 225-325 14.07250-325 1.50 250-325 1.51 250-325 19.13 250-325 2.56 250-325 15.72275-325 1.54 275-325 1.68 275-325 26.56 275-325 2.51 275-325 17.78300-325 1.55 300-325 1.96 300-325 44.65 300-325 2.51 300-325 19.81Retraction 1 175-325 1.91 175-325 2.23 175-325 11.55 175-325 3.15175-325 14.39 200-325 1.89 200-325 2.25 200-325 13.31 200-325 3.77200-325 16.46 225-325 2.01 225-325 2.41 225-325 18.05 225-325 4.15225-325 19.42 250-325 2.20 250-325 2.69 250-325 20.56 250-325 4.69250-325 24.06 275-325 2.60 275-325 3.27 275-325 29.75 275-325 5.78275-325 32.28 300-325 2.33 300-325 4.45 300-325 55.37 300-325 6.01300-325 50.73 Extension 2 175-325 1.66 175-325 1.86 175-325 11.07175-325 2.99 175-325 12.15 200-325 1.58 200-325 1.78 200-325 12.58200-325 3.44 200-325 13.36 225-325 1.52 225-325 1.78 225-325 15.21225-325 3.31 225-325 15.25 250-325 1.58 250-325 1.02 250-325 19.36250-325 3.45 250-325 18.02 275-325 1.63 275-325 1.93 275-325 27.35275-325 3.87 275-325 22.17 300-325 1.59 300-325 1.94 300-325 47.83300-325 4.43 300-325 28.15 Retraction 2 175-325 1.74 175-325 1.99175-325 11.35 175-325 2.99 175-325 12.96 200-325 1.71 200-325 1.96200-325 13.08 200-325 3.59 200-325 14.78 225-325 1.77 225-325 2.06225-325 15.75 225-325 3.98 225-325 17.29 250-325 1.92 250-325 2.24250-325 20.29 250-325 4.47 250-325 21.29 275-325 2.23 275-325 2.83275-325 29.19 275-325 5.40 275-325 28.21 300-325 2.71 300-325 3.31300-325 54.45 300-325 7.44 300-325 43.48 Extension 3 175-325 1.63175-325 1.83 175-325 10.15 175-325 2.94 175-325 11.81 200-325 1.53200-325 1.73 200-325 11.57 200-325 3.42 200-325 12.91 225-325 1.48225-325 1.71 225-325 13.79 225-325 3.34 225-325 14.73 250-325 1.51250-325 1.78 250-325 17.49 250-325 3.45 250-325 17.43 275-325 1.60275-325 1.90 275-325 24.51 275-325 3.94 275-325 21.61 300-325 1.67300-325 1.96 300-325 42.69 300-325 4.68 300-325 26.09 Retraction 3175-325 1.70 175-325 1.94 175-325 10.39 175-325 2.93 175-325 12.51200-325 1.66 200-325 1.91 200-325 11.91 200-325 3.52 200-325 14.25225-325 1.72 225-325 1.99 225-325 14.31 225-325 3.93 225-325 15.56250-325 1.85 250-325 2.14 250-325 18.40 250-325 4.40 250-325 20.46275-325 2.12 275-325 2.48 275-325 28.30 275-325 5.29 275-325 35.99300-325 2.56 300-325 2.10 300-325 48.78 300-325 7.28 300-325 41.51EXTENSION/ SAMPLE 4 SAMPLE 5 SAMPLE 6 SAMPLE 7 RETRACTION EXT. AVE. EXT.AVE. EXT. AVE. EXT. AVE. CYCLE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGESLOPE Extension 1 175-325 5.85 175-325 9.51 175-325 6.52 175-325 6.36200-325 5.90 200-325 10.68 200-325 7.00 200-325 8.93 225-325 5.38225-325 12.95 225-325 7.83 225-325 7.93 250-325 6.09 250-325 16.25250-325 9.19 250-325 9.62 275-325 4.98 275-325 22.22 275-325 11.61275-325 12.69 300-325 4.57 300-325 36.07 300-325 18.75 300-325 17.48Retraction 1 175-325 5.86 175-325 10.10 175-325 7.07 175-325 8.83200-325 6.94 200-325 11.72 200-325 7.68 200-325 7.52 225-325 7.43225-325 14.76 225-325 6.73 225-325 8.70 250-325 8.08 250-325 16.48250-325 10.56 250-325 10.77 275-325 4.99 275-325 26.55 275-325 14.04275-325 14.82 300-325 4.57 300-325 48.25 300-325 23.08 300-325 25.60Extension 2 175-325 5.52 175-325 8.56 175-325 8.77 175-325 8.43 200-3256.21 200-325 9.87 200-325 7.27 200-325 6.95 225-325 5.98 225-325 11.69225-325 8.19 225-325 7.97 250-325 5.98 250-325 14.63 250-325 9.70350-325 9.67 275-325 6.26 275-325 20.05 275-325 12.47 275-325 12.88300-325 6.85 300-325 33.09 300-325 19.68 300-325 18.26 Retraction 2175-325 5.50 175-325 6.94 175-325 7.04 175-325 6.66 200-325 6.58 200-32510.33 200-325 7.65 200-325 7.32 225-325 7.03 225-325 12.52 225-325 6.69225-325 9.42 250-325 7.57 250-325 16.18 250-325 10.51 250-325 10.43275-325 9.64 275-325 23.13 275-325 14.01 275-325 14.37 300-325 10.92300-325 41.72 300-325 23.19 300-325 24.85 Extension 3 175-325 5.36175-325 9.16 175-325 6.43 175-325 6.46 200-325 6.13 200-325 10.045200-325 6.95 200-325 6.99 225-325 5.85 225-325 12.46 225-325 7.87225-325 7.97 250-325 5.87 250-325 15.63 250-325 9.00 250-325 9.73275-325 6.21 275-325 21.64 275-325 11.51 275-325 13.05 300-325 6.70300-325 36.65 300-325 17.19 300-325 19.15 Retraction 3 175-325 5.35175-325 9.42 175-325 6.67 175-325 6.69 200-325 6.40 200-325 10.89200-325 7.20 200-325 7.33 225-325 6.05 225-325 13.22 225-325 8.13225-325 8.45 250-325 7.35 250-325 17.11 250-325 9.78 250-325 10.48275-325 8.32 275-325 24.54 275-325 12.95 275-325 14.41 300-325 10.49300-325 44.52 300-325 21.05 300-325 25.09

[0072] TABLE 12 EXTENSION/ EMBODIMENT 1 EMBODIMENT 2 SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE 2SAMPLE 3 RETRACTION EXT. AVG. EXT. AVG. EXT. AVG. EXT. AVG. EXT. AVG.CYCLE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPEAVERAGE OVER 175-325 1.72 175-325 1.96 175-325 10.92 175-325 3.02175-325 12.62 FIRST THREE 200-325 1.65 200-325 1.91 200-325 12.52200-325 3.49 200-325 14.09 CYCLES 225-325 1.67 225-325 1.96 225-32515.03 225-325 3.58 225-325 16.24 250-325 1.76 250-325 2.08 250-325 19.22250-325 3.84 250-325 19.50 275-325 1.95 275-325 2.35 275-325 27.29275-325 4.46 275-325 24.83 300-325 2.25 300-325 2.70 300-325 48.96300-325 5.72 300-325 33.29 AVERAGE OVER 175-325 1.65 175-325 1.87175-325 10.74 175-325 3.02 175-325 11.96 FIRST THREE 200-325 1.56200-325 1.79 200-325 12.28 200-325 3.34 200-325 13.01 EXTENSIONS 225-3251.51 225-325 1.77 225-325 14.69 225-325 3.15 225-325 14.68 250-325 1.53250-325 1.80 250-325 18.68 250-325 3.16 250-325 17.06 275-325 1.59275-325 1.90 275-325 26.17 275-325 3.44 275-325 20.51 300-325 1.64300-325 1.95 300-325 45.06 300-325 3.87 300-325 25.55 AVERAGE OVER175-325 1.79 175-325 2.05 175-325 11.10 175-325 3.02 175-325 13.29 FIRSTTHREE 200-325 1.75 200-325 2.04 200-325 12.76 200-325 3.63 200-325 15.16RETRACTIONS 225-325 1.83 225-325 2.15 225-325 15.37 225-325 4.02 225-32517.79 250-325 1.99 250-325 2.36 250-325 19.78 250-325 4.52 250-325 21.94275-325 2.32 275-325 2.79 275-325 28.41 275-325 5.48 275-325 29.15300-325 2.87 300-325 3.62 300-325 52.65 300-325 7.58 300-325 42.24EXTENSION/ SAMPLE 4 SAMPLE 5 SAMPLE 6 SAMPLE 7 RETRACTION EXT. AVG. EXT.AVG. EXT. AVG. EXT. AVG. CYCLE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGE SLOPE RANGESLOPE AVERAGE OVER 175-325 5.57 175-325 9.30 175-325 6.75 175-325 6.57FIRST THREE 200-325 6.36 200-325 10.09 200-325 7.27 200-325 7.17 CYCLES225-325 6.42 225-325 12.65 225-325 6.21 225-325 8.24 250-325 6.56250-325 18.36 250-325 9.79 250-325 10.11 275-325 7.29 275-325 23.02275-325 12.77 275-325 13.71 300-325 8.58 300-325 40.07 300-325 30.02300-325 21.74 AVERAGE OVER 175-325 8.58 175-325 9.11 175-325 6.58175-325 6.43 FIRST THREE 200-325 6.06 200-325 10.40 200-325 7.04 200-3256.96 EXTENSIONS 225-325 5.73 225-325 12.37 225-325 7.90 225-325 7.96250-325 5.65 250-325 15.51 250-325 9.30 250-325 9.57 275-325 5.81275-325 21.30 275-325 11.66 275-325 12.86 300-325 5.97 300-325 35.27300-325 17.61 300-325 18.29 AVERAGE OVER 175-325 5.57 175-325 9.48175-325 6.93 175-325 6.73 FIRST THREE 200-325 6.63 200-325 10.98 200-3257.51 200-325 7.39 RETRACTIONS 225-325 7.10 225-325 15.33 225-325 8.52225-325 8.52 250-325 7.67 250-325 17.25 250-325 10.28 250-325 10.55275-325 6.77 275-325 24.74 275-325 13.67 275-325 14.55 300-325 11.20300-325 44.86 300-325 22.44 300-325 35.18

[0073] TABLE 13 DECAY (grams) EMBODI- EMBODI- Extension (mm) MENT 1 MENT2 SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE 2 SAMPLE 3 SAMPLE 4 SAMPLE 5 SAMPLE 6 SAMPLE 7 11540.05 49.39 90.78 0.44 383.50 0.89 98.34 88.53 77.06 200 44.50 56.0794.78 76.52 481.82 137.35 113.03 92.98 80.62 225 53.84 65.41 104.13145.93 555.67 224.03 136.61 97.43 81.51 250 59.63 73.42 125.93 169.06652.22 244.48 175.77 111.22 93.09 275 62.74 78.76 163.31 170.84 758.99242.26 227.84 133.91 116.26 300 59.18 76.98 283.91 150.82 839.74 223.14325.73 174.84 220.93 Average 53.32 66.67 143.81 118.94 611.99 179.69178.55 116.49 111.58

[0074] Table 1 represents Embodiment 1 described above, and whichgenerally corresponds to elongate elastic member 66 (FIG. 2) beingjoined to elongate sleeve member 62 at locations corresponding to seams34 (FIG. 1). Table 2 represents Embodiment 2, which is similar toEmbodiment 1, except that in Embodiment 2 the elastic member isselectively intermittently joined to the elongate sleeve member. Theintermittent pattern of joining is a pattern of 1.27 centimeter (0.5inch) wide adhesive zones separated by 1.27 centimeter wide zones withno adhesive. Table 3 represents Sample 1, Table 4 represents Sample 2,Table 5 represents Sample 3, Table 6 represents Sample 4, Table 7represents Sample 5, Table 8 represents Sample 6, and Table 9 representsSample 7.

[0075] The below-described test procedure was applied to five specimenelastic waistbands of five products of each of the Embodiments 1-2Samples 1-7 to generate the data in Tables 1-13. After describing thetest procedure, one example of a calculation will be provided.

[0076] Test Procedure

[0077] This test procedure is entitled “SINTECH TESTWORKSO Cycle TestingProgram for Elastomeric Waistbands.” The test procedure involves thefollowing equipment:

[0078] (1) Sintech and TestWorks® version 2.11 software with a tensiletester with an equivalent computerized data-acquisition system, and a 25pound load cell. Although this test procedure is designed for theSintech TestWorks® system, it can be performed with other test systemsthat can be programmed to calculate the required parameters.

[0079] (2) User's Guide for Sintech TestWorks' Program,

[0080] (3) Peg/pin fixtures that are clamped into each of the twopneumatic grips/jaws of the Sintech Tester, with one of the fixtures onthe movable block at the top, and the other fixture on the stationaryblock at the bottom.

[0081] Specimen preparation requires that used product, or product thathas been tested for other purposes, not be used. A finished product isrequired, in which “finished product” refers to a product manufacturedto be used for its intended purpose, such as a product removed from abag purchased from any suitable facility, such as a grocery store. Withthe finished product in the retracted state, the elastic waistband iscut off from the top of the waist opening so that the cut-off portionincludes the full width of the elastic member or element, and ensuringthat the full length of the waistband maintains its closed-loop form,i.e., ensuring the waistband is not cut through its circumferentiallength. It was sufficient for the elastic waistbands to be cut 2.38centimeters ({fraction (15/16)} inch) in width at the waist opening,ensuring that the elastic waistband included the full width of theelastic member or element.

[0082] The test parameters for the procedure are as follows:

[0083] (1) a crosshead speed of 500 millimeters per minute,

[0084] (2) a gage length of 150 millimeters, and

[0085] (3) waist tension values, in grams, taken at designated 25millimeter increments in the extension range of 150 millimeters to 325millimeters.

[0086] The procedure for preparing the test equipment is as follows:

[0087] (1) Verify the 25 pound load cell is in the Sintech Tester. Theload cell must warm up a minimum of 30 minutes.

[0088] (2) Boot up the Sintech, and if necessary, type in the operatoridentification and press Enter. Use the arrow keys or mouse to highlightthe heading desired.

[0089] (3) Highlight “Test” on the main menu, and press Enter.

[0090] (4) Highlight “Method” on the Test Menu, and press Enter.

[0091] (5) Highlight “CSD Standard”, and press Enter.

[0092] (6) Highlight “Cycle Test 150-325 mm”, and press Enter.

[0093] (7) Highlight “Test” from the Test Menu, and press Enter.

[0094] (8) Enter the Sample identification code, and press Enter.

[0095] (9) Clamp into each of the two pneumatic grips/jaws of theSintech Tester the pin/peg fixtures, with one on the movable block atthe top, and the other on the stationary block at the bottom. Ensurethat the upper and lower pin/peg fixtures are vertically aligned. Press“T” to tare load and weight of fixtures.

[0096] (10) Press F9. Adjust the fixture distance to 150 millimetersfrom the top end of the top fixture to the bottom end of the lowerfixture. To accomplish this, press “G” for crosshead movement andindicate the number of millimeters needed to obtain the 150 millimetergage length. Press “Z” for zero extension. Press Escape for the TestMenu.

[0097] (11) Highlight “Calibrate” for calibration, and press Enter.Follow the TestWorks® menu program for calibration of the load cell,with reference to the User Guide for more information on Load CellCalibration if necessary. The load cell must be calibrated whenever theload cell is changed, and at the beginning of each day/shift.

[0098] (12) Press Escape when calibration is completed to return to theTest Menu.

[0099] The testing steps are as follows:

[0100] (1) Place the closed-loop elastic waistband area onto the groovedsection of the top pin/peg fixture at the seamed portion of the elasticwaistband, and press F9.

[0101] (2) Press “T” to tare the load.

[0102] (3) Press Escape to return to the Test Menu.

[0103] (4) Place the other end of the waistband on the bottom pin/pegfixture, with one seam on the top fixture and the other seam on thebottom fixture.

[0104] (5) Highlight “Run”, and press Enter. The test will start andstop automatically, and will return to the 150 millimeter gage length atcompletion.

[0105] (6) When the run is completed, highlight either “File” if dataand graphs are to be saved, or “Next” to save only the data. Usingeither “File” or “Next” will bring up the “Test” screen for the nextspecimen. Remove the waistband from the tester.

[0106] (7) Repeat steps 1-6 for the five specimens until the testing iscomplete.

[0107] (8) Refer to the User's Guide for Sintech TestWorks protocol toexport data into an appropriate spreadsheet software package.

[0108] This test procedure was performed on Embodiments 1 and 2 andSamples 1-7. By way of example with reference to Table 9, five elasticwaistband specimens from five products of Sample 7 (Oyasumi-Man product)were individually run through the first three cycles. The tension ingrams at 25 millimeter increments between 175-325 millimeters ispresented in the first five columns of Table 9 under the heading“TENSION (gms)”. At each 25 mm increment for the five specimens, thefive tensions in grams were averaged and appear in the “Average” column.Then, for example, by subtracting the average tension of 204.01 grams at200 millimeters of Extension 1 from the average tension of 115.37 gramsat 175 millimeters of Extension 1, and dividing that difference by the25 millimeter increment, there results an average slope of 3.55 gramsper millimeter between 175 millimeters to 200 millimeters in Extension1; this 3.55 slope value appears in the “Slope (g/mm)” column. Similaraverage slopes were calculated for all of the 25 millimeter incrementsin the first three cycles.

[0109] Table 10 presents the data from the “Average” and “Slope” columnsof Tables 1-9 for Embodiments 1 and 2, and Samples 1-7.

[0110] Table 11 presents the average slopes (g/mm) at selected extensionranges and retraction ranges for the extensions and retractions of thefirst three cycles. For example, Sample 7 has an average slope of 6.36g/mm in the extension range of 175-325 millimeters for the extension ofthe first cycle; the first cycle including Extension 1 and Retraction 1.

[0111] Similarly, for the retraction of the first cycle in the 175-325millimeter range, Sample 7 has an average slope of 6.83 g/mm. Thesevalues are calculated from the data in Table 10. For example, in Table11, the average slope of 6.36 g/mm for Sample 7 in the extension rangeof 175-325 millimeters of the first cycle is calculated by averaging,from Table 10, the six slope values for Sample 7 between 175 millimetersand 325 millimeters for Extension 1.

[0112] From the data in Table 11, there is calculated for Embodiments1-2 and Samples 1-7, an overall average slope for (1) the first threecycles, (2) the three extensions of the first three cycles, and (3) thethree retractions of the first three cycles within specific ranges.These overall average slopes are presented in Table 12. For example,Embodiment 1 has an overall average slope over the first three cycles ofabout 1.96 grams per millimeter in the range of 175-325 millimeters. Theslope of 1.96 g/mm is calculated by averaging the slope of 1.98 g/mmover the first three extensions and the slope of 2.05 g/mm over thefirst three retractions. As can be clearly seen in Table 12, Embodiments1-2 have much lower overall average slopes for the first three cycles,the first three extensions, and the first three retractions, thanSamples 1-7. These overall average slopes in Table 12 are termed averagemaximum rates of change of modulus of the elasticity over the firstthree cycles within the identified range.

[0113] By providing lower average maximum rates of change of modulus ofelasticity over the first three cycles, there is provided asubstantially uniform low tension over a wide size range, a morecomfortable fit, and improved ease of use.

[0114] Training pant 20 can be made of any suitable materials well knownin the field of personal care absorbent articles. For example, absorbentstructure 38 can comprise any suitable absorbent material, natural orsynthetic, or a combination thereof, along with superabsorbent material.The absorbent material of which absorbent structure is made may also beencased in a tissue wrap (not shown) in order to maintain the integrityof the absorbent material. Suitable superabsorbent materials areavailable from various vendors, such as Stockhausen, Inc., Dow ChemicalCompany, Hoechst-Celanese Corporation, and Allied Colloids, Inc.Typically, the superabsorbent material is capable of absorbing at leastabout 15 times its weight in water, and desirably is capable ofabsorbing more than about 25 times its weight in water. A suitablenatural absorbent material is a wood pulp fluff identified by the tradedesignation CR 1654 from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, Wis. Thisparticular wood pulp fluff is a bleached, highly absorbent sulfate woodpulp fluff containing soft wood fibers.

[0115] Outer cover layer 46 may be a single layer of a liquid permeableor liquid impermeable material, and may or may not have breathability,i.e., be vapor permeable. In this particular embodiment, outer coverlayer 46 is a two-layer composite comprising outer layer 50 and innerlayer 52. Outer layer 50 is a liquid permeable, nonwoven bicomponent webhaving a basis weight between about 15 to about 35 gsm. The nonwovenbicomponent web may be a spunbond bicomponent web, or a bonded cardedbicomponent web. Suitable bicomponent fibers are a wettable,polyethylene/polypropylene bicomponent fiber available from CHISSOCorporation, Osaka, Japan. In this particular bicomponent fiber, thepolypropylene forms the core and the polyethylene forms the sheath ofthe fiber. Other fiber orientations are possible, such as multi-lobe,side-by-side, or end-to-end. An alternative suitable material is aliquid permeable spunbond polypropylene nonwoven web having a basisweight between about 15 gsm to about 50 gsm.

[0116] Inner layer 52 is desirably a 0.0015 centimeter polyethylene filmfrom Edison Plastics Company, Newport News, Va.

[0117] Liner 48 is a liquid permeable, substantially hydrophobicmaterial, such as a spunbonded web, meltblown web, bonded carded web ofsynthetic polymer filaments, or combined synthetic filaments withnatural fibers, such as rayon. Suitable synthetic polymers include, byway of example, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester. Liner 48typically has a pore size that readily allows the passage of liquids,such as urine and other body exudates. If desired, liner 48 can betreated with a surfactant to selectively adjust its degree ofwettability, and can also be selectively embossed or perforated withdiscrete slits or holes. Liner 48 desirably has a basis weight betweenabout 10 gsm to about 30 gsm.

[0118] All of the described adhesives, such as adhesives 54, 56, 72, 74,can be any adhesives suitable for joining the identified materials.Suitable adhesives can be obtained from Findley Adhesives, Inc.,Wauwatosa, Wis., or obtained from National Starch and Chemical Co.,Bridgewater, N.J. The adhesives can be applied in any manner, such as byspraying, slot-coat extrusion, printing, or the like. The appliedadhesive can be in any desired configuration, such as continuous ordiscontinuous beads, continuous or discontinuous swirls, meltblownpatterns, spray patterns, or the like.

[0119] Elongate sleeve member 62 of waist elastic system 60 can be anonwoven bicomponent web comprising about 50 percent polypropylenefibers and 50 percent polyethylene fibers in a side-by-side orientation,and having a basis weight of about 17 gsm. This particular type ofmaterial can be purchased from BASF Corporation, Charlotte, N.C. Othermaterials suitable for use in elongate sleeve member 62 include a 13 gsmspunbond polypropylene web, or a 13 gsm spunbond polyester web.

[0120] Elastic member 66 is desirably made of natural rubber, or anelastomeric material such as isoprene purchasable from JPS ElastomericsCompany, Holyoke, Me. Elastic member 66, as earlier described above, canbe a single ribbon of material, or a plurality of strands or ribbons ofelastic material. A desired material for use as a plurality of strandsof elastic are LYCRAO 940 decitex, which can be purchased from E.I.DuPont de Nemours Company, Wilmington, Del.

[0121] Another important factor in providing a substantially uniform lowtension over a wide size range, a more comfortable fit, and improvedease of use, is the maximum magnitude of decay, measured in grams oftension, at a specific extension over the first three cycles. For easeof explanation and understanding, and by way of example, the followingdescription is made with reference to FIG. 9. The first three cycles ofEmbodiment 1 are identified as cycle 1, cycle 2, and cycle 3. Decay overthe first three cycles 1, 2, and 3 is calculated by selecting anextension, for example 300 millimeters, and identifying the extensioncurve E1 for cycle 1 and the retraction curve R3 for cycle 3, and thensubtracting the tension in grams at E1 from the tension in grams at R3.This difference represents the decay, ie. the loss of tension in grams,over the first three cycles at an extension of 300 millimeters.

[0122] Similarly, and continuing with reference to FIG. 9, Sample 3 isrepresented by cycle 1′, cycle 2′, and cycle 3′. The decay over thefirst three cycles for Sample 3, measured at an extension of 300millimeters, is the difference in grams at extension E1′ of cycle 1′ andthe retraction R3′ of cycle 3′. FIG. 9 clearly illustrates that thedecay over the first three cycles of Embodiment 1 is significantly lessthan the decay over the first three cycles of Sample 3.

[0123] With reference to Table 13, the decay of Embodiments 1-2 andSamples 1-7 are tabulated at 25 millimeter increments in the range of175 millimeters to 300 millimeters. At an extension of 300 millimeters,for example, Embodiment 1 results in a decay of 59.18 grams over thefirst three cycles, and Embodiment 2 results in a decay of 76.98 gramsover the first three cycles. These decay values are significantly lowerthan the decay values at 300 millimeters for Samples 1-7. For example,at an extension of 300 millimeters, Sample 2 has a decay over the firstthree cycles of 150.82 grams, and Sample 3 has a decay over the firstthree cycles of 839.74 grams.

[0124] Referring now primarily to FIGS. 5 and 6, one method will bedescribed of a manufacturing assembly line for making a disposableabsorbent training pant 20. In FIG. 5, a first layer 80 of a materialhaving opposite edge portions 84, 86 is continuously moved in a firstdirection 82. The first layer 80 can be supplied in any suitable mannerwell known in the art, and subsequently will form part of elongatesleeve member 62 (FIG. 2). An elongate elastic member 88 is continuouslyapplied or provided in first direction 82, in any suitable manner wellknown in the art, in a selectively tensioned state to first layer 80.Elongate elastic member 88 will subsequently form part of elongateelastic member 66 (FIG. 2). Elongate elastic member 88 can also becontinuously applied or provided in a substantially untensioned manner,and, if so, it may be a specific type of elastomeric material commonlyreferred to as a heat-elasticizable material. This latter type ofelastomeric material can be treated, such as by heat, to recover itslatent elasticity. Generally, elongate elastic member 88 will be joinedto first layer 80, prior to the folding of first layer 80, by a pulsedadhesive system 90 for providing a predetermined adhesive pattern onfirst layer 80 by selectively controlling a bank of spray nozzles 91.The adhesive may be sprayed or applied in a continuous pattern or anintermittent pattern. One system suitable for use is the pulsed adhesivesystem described in European Patent Application 0 603 748 A1, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein. The adhesive canalso be supplied in other suitable manners, such as by extrusion slotcoating or by a patterned adhesive roll (not shown).

[0125] The pulsed adhesive system 90 can apply adhesive in any desiredpattern. For example, pulsed adhesive system 90 can apply an adhesivepattern, such as adhesive zone 92 (FIG. 5) having a window 93 that isvoid of adhesive. Another adhesive pattern that can be applied by pulsedadhesive system 90 is represented by adhesive zones 95 which extendsubstantially across first layer 80 in a direction transverse to firstdirection 82. Yet another adhesive pattern is illustrated by adhesivezones 99 which are applied intermittently and more closely spacedtogether than adhesive zones 95. Regardless of the adhesive patternutilized, it is desired that the pattern be selected such that at leasta portion of the adhesive pattern will correspond in location to seams34 (FIG. 1) of training pant 20.

[0126] Alternatively, the application of adhesive can be eliminated, andelongated elastic member 88 can be joined to first layer 80 in asubsequent bonding step that results in seams 34, as will be describedhereafter. In this case, elongated elastic member 88 will be joined tofirst layer 80 after folding first layer 80.

[0127] After providing elongate elastic member 88 to first layer 80,first layer 80 passes through a folding board 94, which continuouslyfolds first layer 80 in a direction generally transverse to firstdirection 82 along a fold line 96 and over elongate elastic member 88.Upon being folded, elongate elastic member 88 is intermittently joinedto first layer 80, thereby resulting in a first elastic composite 97,which will ultimately form a part of elongate sleeve member 62 (FIG. 2).

[0128] A second elastic composite 112 (FIG. 6) can be made in a separatemanufacturing assembly line in the same manner as first elasticcomposite 97. These two elastic composites 97, 112 can be made in aparallel manner to each other, or angularly oriented to each other,depending upon various factors, such as facility accommodations, i.e.,the size of the building housing the apparatus, material supplyrequirements, operator requirements, or the like. After first and secondelastic composites 97, 112 have been made, they can be individuallywound on rolls, and transported to another assembly line, such as thatin FIG. 6, for subsequent handling.

[0129] Referring now to FIG. 6, a base layer 98 having opposite edgeportions 102, 104 is continuously moved in a machine direction 100. Baselayer 98 may be a single layer of material, or a laminate or compositecomprising, for example in this description, two layers that ultimatelyform outer layer 50 and inner layer 52 (FIG. 2). Base layer 98 may alsobe made of a material suitable for use as liner 48. A pair of adhesiveapplicators, such as adhesive spray nozzles 106, apply adhesives, suchas adhesives 74 (FIG. 2), along opposite edge portions 102,104.

[0130] A plurality of absorbent structures 38 are registered or providedon top of base layer 98 at equidistantly spaced apart locations betweenthe opposite edge portions 102, 104. Absorbent structures 38 arepositioned on base layer 98 such that their respective lengths 42 aretransverse to machine direction 100. This orientation of absorbentstructures 38 also results in their respective widths 44 beingtransverse to the cross direction 101. Each length 42 is greater indimension than a width 44. The absorbent structures 38 can be providedin any suitable manner known in the art.

[0131] A top layer 108 is continuously supplied on top of absorbentstructures 38 and base layer 98. Just as base layer 98 may be made of amaterial or layers of material suitable for outer cover layer 46 orliner 48, top layer 108 may also be made of materials suitable for useas outer cover layer 46 or liner 48. In this particular description, toplayer 108 is the liner. First elastic composite 97 and second elasticcomposite 112 are continuously delivered to base layer 98 so as to bepositioned on respective edge portions 102, 104, and are joined theretoby adhesive beads 74 (FIG. 2). A pressure roller 110 presses elasticcomposites 97, 112, base layer 98, and, if desired, top layer 108,together to assist in joining the layers together. Top layer 108 may besmaller in transverse width than base layer 98, and thus may not be incontact with elastic composites 97,112. The elastic composites 97, 112will form elongate sleeve member 62 (FIG. 2).

[0132] Elastic composites 97, 112 may be joined to either side of baselayer 98. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates the elastic composites 97, 112joined on the same side of base layer 98 on which absorbent structures38 are placed. If desired, elastic composites 97, 112 can be joined onthe opposite side of base layer 98, thereby resulting in the embodimentin FIG. 2.

[0133] A patterned rotary die, such as patterned cutting roll 114, cutsa plurality of openings 116 through top layer 108 and base layer 98,between absorbent structures 38. Openings 116 will subsequently form legopenings 32 (FIG. 1). If desired, openings 116 can be formed by othermeans, such as by water-jet cutters, and may be cut into any desiredform.

[0134] Thereafter, a folding board 118 folds base layer 98 along a foldline 120 that is parallel to the machine direction 100. A rotaryultrasonic bonder 122 then bonds the folded base layer 98 along aplurality of bond lines 124, which are generally transverse to machinedirection 100. The bonding along bond lines 124 forms seams 34 (FIG. 1),and may be continuous or intermittent along one or a plurality of lines.The bond lines 124 are located between absorbent structures 38, and ifdesired can simultaneously bond each elongate elastic member 88 (FIG. 5)to its respective layer 80 (FIG. 5). In this latter case, it may beunnecessary to apply any adhesive to first layer 80 (FIG. 5).

[0135] A cutting roll 126 having a blade 128 cuts base layer 98 alongcut lines 130 that are transverse to machine direction 100 and betweenabsorbent structures 38. Desirably, cut lines 130 are located within acentral region or area of respective bond lines 124, thereby splitting asingle bond line 124 into two bond lines. The cutting of base layer 98results in a plurality of disposable absorbent training pants 20 havingwaist elastic systems 60 about waist openings 30, and leg openings 32formed by seams 34.

[0136] In the above-described process, elastic composites 97, 112 arematerial independent of chassis 22. Thus, elastic composites 97, 112 canbe made of any desired materials, and materials different from anymaterials of which chassis 22 is made, to provide a waist elastic system60 having desired elastic properties.

[0137]FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of waist elastic system 60 isintegral or unitary with chassis 22 (FIG. 1). In this description,structural elements in common with those in FIG. 2 will retain the samereference numerals. Waist border 36 (FIG. 3) comprises outer layer 50and inner layer 52. A peripheral edge portion 58 of outer layer 50extends outwardly, i.e., further to the right as illustrated in FIG. 3,beyond the ends of inner layer 52 and liner 48. Peripheral edge portion58 extends sufficiently to permit it to be folded upon itself to form anelongate sleeve member 132. Sleeve member 132 comprises an outer surface134, an inner surface 136, and defines an elongate passage 138 havingelongate elastic member 140 disposed therein.

[0138] This construction of waist elastic system 60 provides similaradvantages and benefits previously described with reference to FIG. 2.With regard to these constructions, the elongate sleeve members 62, 132can be disposed on the outermost side of outer layer 50 or the innermostside of outer layer 50. For example, in FIG. 2, both outer surface 68and inner surface 70 of elongate sleeve member 62 can be disposed on theopposite side, the lower side as viewed in FIG. 2, of outer layer 50.Furthermore, if desired, outer surface 68 and inner surface 70 can haveperipheral edge portion 58 sandwiched therebetween. With reference toFIG. 3, peripheral edge portion 58 can be folded upon itself in adirection opposite to that illustrated in FIG. 3, such that outersurface 134 is on the opposite side, the lower side as viewed in FIG. 3,of peripheral edge portion 58. Generally, the construction and placementof waist elastic system 60 with reference to peripheral edge portion 58will be determined by several factors, such as material factors,manufacturing factors, aesthetic factors, or the like.

[0139] With reference to FIG. 4, a description will be made of onemethod for making the modification in FIG. 3. A base layer 142 havingopposite edge portions 146, 148 is continuously moved in a machinedirection 144. Base layer 142 may be any of the layers previouslydescribed with reference to chassis 22. For example, base layer 142 maybe selected to eventually comprise outer cover layer 46, liner 48, orany other layer that may be incorporated in chassis 22. In thisparticular description, base layer 142 is selected to be outer coverlayer 46 comprising an outer layer 50 and an inner layer 52.

[0140] A plurality of absorbent structures 38 are registered or providedon top of base layer 142 in an equidistantly spaced-apart manner. Eachabsorbent structure 38 has a length dimension 42 greater than a widthdimension 44, and is oriented on base layer 142 such that lengthdimension 42 is generally transverse to machine direction 144. Theabsorbent structures 38 are also, as illustrated in FIG. 4, positionedbetween opposite edge portions 146, 148 of base layer 142.

[0141] A top layer 150, such as a liner material in this description, iscontinuously supplied, in any suitable manner well known in the art, tooverlay the absorbent structures 38 and base layer 142, and a pluralityof openings 116 are cut or formed in a manner such as that earlierdescribed with reference to FIG. 6.

[0142] Top layer 150 has opposite edge portions 151, 153 which, likeopposite edge portions 146, 148 of base layer 142, extend in the machinedirection 144. As described above, base layer 142 forms outer coverlayer 46 comprising outer layer 50 and inner layer 52 (FIG. 3), andouter layer 50 extends laterally beyond opposite edge portions 151, 153of top layer 150. “Laterally beyond” refers to a direction parallel tocross direction 168, which is transverse to machine direction 144. It isthis extension of outer layer 50 that will form a part of waist elasticsystem 60.

[0143] In FIG. 4, two differently patterned adhesive rolls 152, 158 areillustrated for purposes of description intermittently applyingdifferent adhesive patterns to base layer 142. However, it is understoodthat generally only one adhesive pattern will be selected.

[0144] Patterned adhesive roll 152 intermittently applies adhesive inmachine direction 144 in a selected adhesive pattern 154 to oppositeedge portion 146 of base layer 142. Adhesive pattern 154 includes aplurality of distinct adhesive zones 156 which are spaced apart from oneanother, i.e., intermittently applied, in the machine direction 144. Ifdesired, only distinct adhesive zones 156 can be applied by patternedadhesive roll 152, thereby eliminating any connecting adhesive patternbetween the adhesive zones 156. As will be described hereafter, it isthe distinct adhesive zones 156 that adhesively join an elongate elasticmember 140. The remaining adhesive of adhesive pattern 154 willadhesively join a folded portion of opposite edge portion 146. Ifpreferred, a pulsed adhesive system, similar to pulsed adhesive system90 in FIG. 5, can replace patterned adhesive rolls 152, 158. Regardlessof the apparatus and method of applying adhesives, it is important thatthe process and apparatus be capable of applying the adhesive in aselectively intermittent pattern.

[0145] Patterned adhesive roll 158 applies an optional adhesive pattern160 having a plurality of spaced-apart distinct adhesive zones 162. Incomparison to adhesive zones 156, adhesive zones 162 are more closelyspaced together. The spacing of adhesive zones 156, 162, as well astheir dimensions, can be dependent upon numerous variables, such as theadhesive material, the amount of adhesive applied, the elastic material,the layer materials, manufacturing speeds, or the like.

[0146] An elongate elastic member 140 is continuously delivered, inmachine direction 144, to each edge portion 146, 148 of base layer 142.In this particular description, these opposite edge portions 146, 148correspond to, in the finished product, peripheral edge portion 58 (FIG.3) of outer layer 50. Each elongate elastic member 140 can be appliedeither with a selected tension, or substantially untensioned, in amanner similar to that described with reference to the method in FIG. 6.

[0147] As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the elongate elastic members140 are delivered or positioned on base layer 142 such that they overlieadhesive zones 156 in opposite edge portion 146, or adhesive zones 162in opposite edge portion 148. This results in an intermittent joining ofelastic members 140 in their respective edge portions 146, 148.

[0148] After elongate elastic members 140 have been delivered to baselayer 142, a pair of folding boards 164 fold each opposite edge portion146, 148 along their respective fold lines 166. This causes eachopposite edge portion 146, 148 to be folded in a direction parallel tocross direction 168, and over a respective elongate elastic member 140.Opposite edge portions 146, 148 will eventually form, in a finishedtraining pant 20, an elongate sleeve member 62 (FIG. 2).

[0149] After passing through folding boards 164, base layer 142 can beprocessed in a manner similar to that in FIG. 6. For example, a foldingboard 118 folds base layer 142 along fold line 170, which is generallyparallel to machine direction 144. An ultrasonic bonder, such as rotaryultrasonic bonder 122, ultrasonically bonds folded base layer 142 alonga plurality of bond lines 172, generally transverse to machine direction144. A cutting roll 126 then cuts base layer 142 along a plurality ofcut lines that lie between absorbent structures 38 and that aregenerally transverse to machine direction 144. The cutting of foldedbase layer 142 forms individual disposable absorbent training pants 20(FIG. 1) with respective waist elastic systems 60 (FIG. 2) about waistopenings 30, and leg openings 32 formed from seams 34.

[0150] While this invention has been described as having preferredembodiments, it will be understood that it is capable of furthermodifications. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, equivalents, uses or adaptations of the invention followingthe general principles thereof, and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the artto which this invention pertains and falls within the limits of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A waist elastic system for a disposable absorbentpant comprising a chassis including a front panel, a back panel, acrotch panel, and an absorbent structure on said crotch panel, saidfront panel and said back panel being selectively joined to form a waistopening and a pair of leg openings, said waist elastic systemcomprising: an elongate sleeve member defining an elongate passagetherein, and being generally peripherally disposed about said waistopening, and an elongate elastic member disposed within said elongatepassage, said waist elastic system having a maximum magnitude of decayof about 125 grams at an extension of about 300 millimeters over thefirst three cycles.
 2. The waist elastic system of claim 1 wherein saidmaximum magnitude of decay is about 76.98 grams.
 3. The waist elasticsystem of claim 2 wherein said maximum magnitude of decay is about 59.18grams.
 4. The waist elastic system of claim 1 wherein said elongateelastic member comprises an outermost peripheral edge and an innermostperipheral edge, and wherein said absorbent structure comprises anabsorbent end edge, said innermost peripheral edge of said elongateelastic member being spaced from said absorbent end edge between about 5millimeters to about 20 millimeters.
 5. The waist elastic system ofclaim 1 wherein said chassis is a multi-layer chassis comprising atleast two layers, one of said layers having a peripheral edge portion atsaid waist opening and being folded upon itself to form said elongatesleeve member.
 6. The waist elastic system of claim 5 wherein said onelayer is a nonwoven layer.
 7. A waist elastic system for a disposableabsorbent pant comprising a chassis including a front panel, a backpanel, a crotch panel, and an absorbent structure on said crotch panel,said front panel and said back panel being selectively joined to form awaist opening and a pair of leg openings, said waist elastic systemcomprising: an elongate sleeve member defining an elongate passagetherein, and being generally disposed about said waist opening, and anelongate elastic member disposed within said elongate passage, saidwaist elastic system having a maximum magnitude of decay of about 90grams at an extension of about 250 millimeters over the first threecycles.
 8. The waist elastic system of claim 7 wherein said maximummagnitude of decay is about 73.42 grams.
 9. The waist elastic system ofclaim 8 wherein said maximum magnitude of decay is about 59.63 grams.10. The waist elastic system of claim 7 wherein said elongate elasticmember comprises an outermost peripheral edge and an innermostperipheral edge, and wherein said absorbent structure comprises anabsorbent end edge, said innermost peripheral edge of said elongateelastic member being spaced from said absorbent end edge between about 5millimeters to about 20 millimeters.
 11. The waist elastic system ofclaim 7 wherein said chassis is a multi-layer chassis comprising atleast two layers, one of said layers having a peripheral edge portion atsaid waist opening and being folded upon itself to form said elongatesleeve member.
 12. The waist elastic system of claim 11 wherein said onelayer is a nonwoven layer.
 13. A waist elastic system for a disposableabsorbent pant comprising a chassis including a front panel, a backpanel, a crotch panel, and an absorbent structure on said crotch panel,said front panel and said back panel being selectively joined to form awaist opening and a pair of leg openings, said waist elastic systemcomprising: an elongate sleeve member defining an elongate passagetherein, and being generally peripherally disposed about said waistopening, and an elongate elastic member disposed within said elongatepassage, said waist elastic system having a maximum magnitude of decayof about 70 grams at an extension of about 200 millimeters over thefirst three cycles.
 14. The waist elastic system of claim 13 whereinsaid maximum magnitude of decay is about 56.07 grams.
 15. The waistelastic system of claim 14 wherein said maximum magnitude of decay isabout 44.50 grams.
 16. The waist elastic system of claim 13 wherein saidelongate elastic member comprises an outermost peripheral edge and aninnermost peripheral edge, and wherein said absorbent structurecomprises an absorbent end edge, said innermost peripheral edge of saidelongate elastic member being spaced from said absorbent end edgebetween about 5 millimeters to about 20 millimeters.
 17. The waistelastic system of claim 13 wherein said chassis is a multi-layer chassiscomprising at least two layers, one of said layers having a peripheraledge portion at said waist opening and being folded upon itself to formsaid elongate sleeve member.
 18. The waist elastic system of claim 17wherein said one layer is a nonwoven layer.
 19. A disposable absorbentpant comprising: a chassis including a front panel, a back panel, acrotch panel, and an absorbent structure on said crotch panel, saidfront and said back panel being joined together to form a waist openingand a pair of leg openings, said chassis further including a waistborder comprising a layer of material generally peripherally disposedabout said waist opening, and a waist elastic system generallyperipherally joined to said waist border, said waist elastic systemhaving a maximum magnitude of decay of about 90 grams at an extension ofabout 250 millimeters over the first three cycles.
 20. The pant of claim19 wherein said maximum magnitude of decay is about 73.42 grams.
 21. Thepant of claim 20 wherein said waist elastic system comprises an elongatesleeve member having an elongate passage therein, and an elastic memberdisposed within said elongate passage.
 22. The pant of claim 21 whereinsaid layer of material is a nonwoven material.
 23. The pant of claim 22wherein said absorbent structure has an absorbent end edge, and whereinsaid elastic member has an outermost peripheral edge and an innermostperipheral edge, said innermost peripheral edge being spaced from saidabsorbent end edge between about 5 millimeters to about 20 millimeters.24. The pant of claim 23 wherein said elastic member is a single elasticmember.
 25. The pant of claim 23 wherein said elastic member is aplurality of elastic members.
 26. In a disposable absorbent pantcomprising a chassis including a front panel and a back panel joinedtogether to form a waist opening and a pair of leg openings, a crotchpanel, and an absorbent structure disposed on said crotch panel; a waistelastic system having a maximum magnitude of decay of about 150 grams atan extension of about 300 millimeters over the first three cycles. 27.The pant of claim 26 wherein said maximum magnitude of decay is about76.98 grams.
 28. The pant of claim 27 wherein said maximum magnitude ofdecay is about 59.18 grams.
 29. The pant of claim 26 wherein said waistelastic system comprises an elongate sleeve member defining an elongatepassage therein, and being generally peripherally joined about saidwaist opening, and an elongate elastic member disposed within saidelongate passage.
 30. The pant of claim 29 wherein said absorbentstructure has an absorbent end edge, and wherein said elongate elasticmember has an outermost peripheral edge and an innermost peripheraledge, said innermost peripheral edge being spaced from said absorbentend edge between about 5 millimeters to about 20 millimeters.
 31. Thepant of claim 30 wherein said elongate elastic member is a singleelastic member.
 32. The pant of claim 30 wherein said elongate elasticmember is a plurality of elastic members.